Press Release
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) announces their 17th annual Radon Poster Contest winners. Students aged 9 to 14 made posters about the hazards of radon gas, which is the second leading cause of cancer. Entries were judged in December, and presentations were held at three schools in January for Radon Action Month.
“The radon poster contest offers a fun opportunity for students to understand the high radon levels we face here in Nebraska and the actions we can take to address it,” says Sarah Minnick, Program Manager at SWNPHD. “The creativity of the students is amazing. We congratulate all participants for educating our communities about the dangers of radon and ways to lower the risk of lung cancer.”
Winning posters will be displayed on SWNPHD’s website at swhealth.ne.gov, on social media, and outside SWNPHD’s McCook office at 404 West 10th Street.
Judges selected the following poster contest winners:
Ages 9 to 10
1st Place- Evelyn Jordan Hitchcock County Elementary
2nd Place-Leah Messinger St. Patrick School
3rd Place- Rachel Kollmorgen Hitchcock County Elementary
Ages 11 to 12
1st Place- Francesca Caskey Ogallala Middle School
2nd Place- Avery Johnson Ogallala Middle School
3rd Place- Gracee O’Keefe Ogallala Middle School
Ages 13-14
1st Place- Lincoln Worley Ogallala Middle School
2nd Place- Kevin Diaz Rodriguez Ogallala Middle School
3rd Place- Maccoy Morken Ogallala Middle School
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can build up in homes and buildings. In Nebraska, half of all homes have elevated radon levels. Winter is an ideal time for radon testing,
and there are simple do-it-yourself test kits that offer accuracy comparable to professional assessments. Residents of the nine-county health district can obtain free radon test kits from SWNPHD or request a list of licensed radon professionals.
For more information on radon testing call Sarah Minnick at 308-345-4223. Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department serves nine counties including Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins, and Red Willow counties. Our website, swhealth.ne.gov, contains many resources and additional information that are helpful to prevent disease, promote healthy habits, and protect health. Follow SWNPHD on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.